Illegal hunting threatens many wildlife species through commercial poaching and has led to population declines and extinctions. The Colorado Division of Wildlife works to protect wildlife by enforcing laws against illegal hunting and educating the public. Through programs like Operation Game Thief, the Division relies on citizen reports of poaching incidents to investigate and prosecute violators.

2.  Illegal hunting is the illegal trapping, shooting, and taking of
game or fish from public or private property.
 Perpetrators of this crime commit it mainly for commercial
profit, which means they kill animals illegally and sell their parts
and hides.
 Illegal hunting has led to a serious reduction and even extinction
of many species.
 This year, it was determined that 8 out of 10 elephant deaths are
caused by poachers.
 In 2011, 73 million sharks were killed for their fins.
 In 2011, more than 440 rhinos were poached for their horns. This
year the number has already reached 281 and the year’s just a little
over half over.
 The black market value of poaching and wildlife smuggling is $32
billion.

4.  The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has consistently played
a major role in the illegal hunting issue. Their mission is to protect,
preserve, enhance, and manage wildlife for the use, benefit, and
enjoyment of people of the state as well as visitors.
 The DOW enacts wildlife laws to attend to three purposes: public
safety, wildlife management, and ethical considerations.
 The DOW has wildlife officers and certified peace officers that
maintain a presence in local communities by checking for proper
hunting licenses and assisting in emergency situations regarding
wildlife.

5.  Perry Will is the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Area Wildlife
Manager and Supervisor.
 Perry works in the Glenwood Springs area and has been working
with the Division for over 30 years.
 In 1996, Perry received the John D. Hart Wildlife Officer of the
Year award. This is the highest honor given by the DOW.

7.  The DOW utilizes a strategic plan that contains Management
Principles, which provide guidance to the agency in establishing
and employing their goals. The plan is divided into
hunting, fishing, wildlife awareness, and wildlife species
management and habitat. There are 42 desired achievements and
the DOW hopes to accomplish them all.
 Colorado is also part of the Wildlife Interstate Violator
Compact, which indicates that violators can be held accountable
across state lines for violation of wildlife laws. It includes 34 other
states in addition to Colorado.

9.  The DOW has identified that its biggest challenge is targeting
illegal hunting and other illegal activities committed against the
wildlife of Colorado.
 It is so difficult to catch poachers as they use a variety of
techniques to disguise what they are doing. They often use
thermal imaging devices, radios, ATVs, and GPS to increase their
ability to poach without being discovered.

10.  DOW officers work long, hard hours to catch these poachers and
bring them to justice. They use their own technological resources
and organize team efforts throughout Colorado.
 DOW officers have specialized training and are educated in
security and handling.
 Field patrol by wildlife officers is extremely important as it
provides direct contact and exchanges of information to those
with licenses.
 Officers contact those that are actively involved in hunting to
check for licenses.
 The DOW also tries to educate the public and get them to
participate by reporting such crimes as the illegal taking of
animals.

11.  Through various surveys and other findings, it has become
obvious that the illegal hunting issue is at the forefront of many
Colorado residents’ minds. Even as far back as 1999, a survey
conducted found that 78% of Colorado residents believe enforcing
existing wildlife laws is a top priority for the DOW.
 If a Colorado citizen sees a poaching incident happen at
anytime, they can report it through hotlines, such as Operation
Game Thief.
 Residents of Colorado may also make donations to our various
wildlife funds and organizations.
 Habitat stamps can also be purchased and each goes towards
preserving every little bit of Colorado’s critical habitat.
 It is crucial to remember that poaching is not only a crime against
animals, but also against us and the conservation of our beautiful
state.

12.  Operation Game Thief is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife program.
It pays rewards to citizens who turn in poachers. People who call
the hotline do not need to reveal their names. Any reports, from
big game to fish, are strongly encouraged if seen.
 Since 1981, the program has received more than 2,400 reports of
poaching and convicted 700 violators. This has led to the seizure
and release of more than 1,300 illegally-taken animals.
 Crimes can be reported to Operation Game Thief through email or
by phone at 1-877-COLO-OGT.

13.  You can visit the DOW’s website at:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Pages/Home.aspx
 Also, the Colorado Wildlife Federation:
http://www.coloradowildlife.org/
 Colorado Wildlife Action Plan:
http://www.wildlifeactionplan.org/colorado.html
 To view more on programs, such as Operation Game Thief, also
visit the DOW website.
 Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation: http://www.cwhf.info/
 The Colorado Wildlife Federation and the Heritage Foundation
will gladly accept donations towards any projects concerning
wildlife or preservation of the animals and their habitat.

14.  Created and compiled by: Sloane Solomon
 With Special Thanks to: Perry Will, Colorado
Division of Wildlife